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The Philander Chase letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
Description
Ward discusses the purchasing of lands around Gambier and tells Chase of an endowment that, if secured, will be split between his and Chase's colleges. He asks Chase to continue to press for a hundred acres of land in Ohio to be purchased in his daughter Mary's name.
Date
5-10-1830
Keywords
Mrs. Wilks, Mona College, Kenyon College, Isle of Man, Mary Ward, Mary Ohio, Bishop Barrow, Bishop Wilson, Lord Kenyon, Mr. Bates, Mr. West, Philip Moore, James Moore, Mr. Beck
Recommended Citation
Ward, Rev. W., "Letter to Philander Chase" (1830). Philander Chase Letters. 857.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/857
Rights Statement
Transcript
Isle of Man
May 10. 1830
My dear Brother, Bishop
I have received your packet of Wonders, and enclose the account of the use I have made of it. Should Mrs. Wilks be successful in recovering the property, the God send will in part extend to the benefit of our infant Colleges. You will perceive that I have made you a partner with myself, having, as I always had, an earnest desire to promote your good works. Should the property prove as ample as it promises, the tenth of the proceeds divided between Ohio & Man, Kenyon & Mona Colleges, will be a handsome endowment. I have but a few minutes to write, nor is it necessary until I can inform you what is doing or about to be done in this interesting business. Whatever depends & you & me with God’s help shall not be wanting. What do you think would be the annual returns of the estates, according to their present value? You see the property is coming to a child of God, who is looking for a better inheritance. This is all delightful, and makes me doubly zealous in the cause. I pray God that this may find you perfectly recovered from your sad accident which has given us all pain to hear of.
I have communicated the [?] about my Mary’s promised little estate in the vicinity of Kenyon College. Mary would sacrifice any part of this world’s property for the Benefit of Kenyon College and the gratification of her Bishop of Ohio – but I clearly perceive this would be a sacrifice that would go near her heart, it would be like cutting the love knot – and if you tell Mr. Bates so, & tell him at the same time the history of Mary Ohio, I am persuaded he would not make the resignation of Mary’s hundred acres any impediment. Mary & her Father may benefit the College ten times its value, & always will join the interests of Kenyon College with that of Mona. Of Mona I have laid the foundation stone & of the chapel annexed, & hope to have it fit for students by this time twelve months, please God I live. One of my predecessors, Bishop Barrow, in 1666 bequeathed an estate for the education of young men for the ministry of the [?] Church which since the days of Bishop Wilson has done little that way. And finding the command of £500 a year & £1000 in hand and following the brave & bold example of Bishop Chase who without staff or script crossed the Atlantic faced persecution, trampled on impossibilities, returned loaded with all England’s love & [mercy], [raised] the American States to an interest in his seminary, created the mighty fabric, has set the education machinery in motion, & is bravely contending with every difficulty with which the church [militant] abounds, having constantly in his view the glories of the church triumphant, the great prize for which he is contending in the pilgrimage of the Wilderness; This great example I am humbly copying, hand pasibus equis.
Dear Kenyon is at this time weighed down with the bereavement of a second Daughter. My heart feels for the dear good man, one of the very best Beings on earth. Let me hear from you, I pray, immediately after this comes to hand. I hope you will find your Missionary successful in his appeal to Irish & British beneficence. Mr. Bates seems to be [apart] to Ohio. I must conclude with the most affectionate remembrance of all at Bishop’s [Court], who ever saw you, Mary Ohio’s remembrance not the least. I hope this will find Mr. West in Liverpool before he starts for Ohio.
Your ever faithful & affectionate Brother
W. Soder & Mann
You must I have a free & full promise of the tenth of the proceeds of Mrs. Wilk’s estate be divided between our two Colleges should she be so fortunate as to recover it. Philip Moores grandson lives in this Island. So it is to the share of James Moores property you are to look.
I send you a document that may cast some light on the lands in question. We become doubly interested about the recovery of the property and I am persuaded you will not sleep over the matter, but do what you can there & tell us what we should do here. Pray what is the sum British that Mr. Beck demands? The Wilks are very respectable but are not in affluence. The more we can save them the better for us.
[Top of first page]: This is a great object & not to be slept upon. Be so good as to acquaint Mr. Beck & beg him to put us on the property. Should we not be able to recount the one without the other I will endeavour to get the heir of Philip to promise the same grant